Forfeiture

Asset Forfeiture in California Criminal Cases

Confiscation of Assets for Crimes

Under certain circumstances, the State may have reason to believe that
your assets were used as instruments in the implementation of an illegal
act or are actual proceeds of some type of criminal behavior. When this
is the case, it is not uncommon for the State to then confiscate said
assets through a process referred to as asset forfeiture. When it is thought
that your assets were used as instruments of a crime, the belief often
stems from the fact that they were allegedly used to facilitate a crime
of some nature. In some cases this may result in the forfeiture of a car
that is thought to have been involved in the transportation of illegal
drugs. In recent years it has also become common for asset forfeitures
to occur as a result of alleged terrorist activity.

If the state or federal government believes that your personal property
was obtained through illegal means, such as the sale of drugs or
money laundering, they can take steps to seize that property from you. At Martinian &
Associates, we have represented many individuals facing asset forfeiture
and we are well-versed in providing legal defense that aims to help our
clients avoid such penalties. Acting quickly is the only way to ensure
that your personal belongings are not permanently confiscated and your
rights are not further violated in any way as the procedures of a criminal
case play out on your behalf.

Your Los Angeles Criminal Defense Lawyer

It is a common misconception that only those who have been arrested and
charged with a crime are subject to asset forfeiture. The truth of the
matter is that even those who have not been arrested or charged can have
their property confiscated by state or federal agents, including money,
vehicles and real estate. It only needs to be believed that those assets
are tied to illegal activity or profit for them to be eligible for forfeiture.
In such cases, the government is required to establish probable cause
for attempting to seize a person's assets, while the property owner
must prove on a "preponderance of evidence" that the property
is not eligible.

Time is of the essence in forfeiture cases. If you have received a notice
from the government regarding their intent to seize your property then
it is strongly recommended that you act immediately. Failing to do so
may result in a default, which allows the government to automatically
come in and begin the acquisition process. An attorney can assist you
in responding in a timely manner to a forfeiture notice, and may be able
to help you avoid asset seizure altogether.